Character History

Dr. Hans Iker first came to public attention in the late 1930's
as an eccentric member of the Newark, New Jersey Science Club. Known for
his odd theories about extradimensional matter, Iker was ridiculed and
cast out of the club, led by Dr. Simon Orr. In 1941, a robbery at a major
bank in Paterson attracted the attention of both the police and the scientific
community around New York City. In broad daylight, gray elfs robbed the
bank, killed a guard and teller. When confronted with the authorities,
the elves simply dissolved into gray mist and floated away. Unknown to
authorities, the mists slipped into a pipe of a dark car, rematerializing
on the inside. There they consulted with their secret master, who plotted
their next move.

At the next meeting of the Science Club, Orr was
confronted about the existence of the disappearing elves but scoffed. A
suggestion by Rex Tyler that the Club investigatew as met with derision.
Bursting in on the meeting, Iker supported Tyler but was quickly rebuffed
and escorted our. Reminded of his ire at his first expulsion, Iker and
his creations laid a trap for Orr. Concerned about Orr's safety, Tyler
changed to Hourman and pursued him. On a deserted road outside of town,
Orr's car was waylaid by Iker's dwarves. The rhyming minions, now joined
by a giant brother, defeated Hourman and fled with Orr. After a brief altercation
with the confused authorities, Hourman tracked Iker back to his lair and
destroyed his device. Iker's mind collapsed under the strain of seeing
his "creations" defeated and he was easily apprehended. In the aftermath,
Orr determined that the beings were generated from "5th dimensional matter"
(Adventure Comics #64). Based on eventual discoveries about the
5th dimension, it now seems likely that Iker's servants were not his creations
at all but mischevious residents of that realm.

Iker was likely placed in psychiatric care after
his first encounter with Hourman. He has made reference to a case against
Hourman in 1942 involving "cloned" dwarves, likely an attempt to re-create
his previous efforts. The particulars of this case have
yet to be revealed. At some point after this case, Iker was sentenced to
twenty years in prison. During his time, he was contacted by Rex Tyler
who offered to give him oppurtunities to advance his scientific career
in legal ways at Tyler Chemcial. Upon his parole, he assumed a position
at Tyler where he remains to this day. Although well over 80, Iker remains
an active participant in the Biotechnology division of Tyler Chemical (JSA
#5).

Power and Abilities: Dr. Iker was a scientist of considerable
skill with expertise in transdimensional sampling devices. He has evidenced
ability to obtain and manipulate extradimensional matter. His first effort
gave him limited control over what appear to be 5th dimensional imps. Over
his lifetime, he has expanded his mastery of science to include a number
of biophysical and bioengineering disciplines.

Weaknesses and Limitations: Dr. Iker is a normal human of advanced
age and represents little physical threat.